Status of Syracuse University football tackle Justin Pugh a priority question for Big East media day

Frank Ordoñez / The Post-StandardSyracuse University football tackle Justin Pugh missed the spring game with an upper-body injury.

Syracuse, NY -- The Syracuse University football team will be represented at its final Big East football media day on Tuesday in Newport, R.I., and it will be my first chance to chat with head coach Doug Marrone face-to-face since the end of spring ball. Here is one big question I will have for Marrone in preparation for the opening of preseason practice Aug. 6:

Who among the 14 players who missed time during spring ball with injuries will be still unable to practice when camp opens? Specifically, I am concerned about all-conference left tackle Justin Pugh, who will be one of five SU players in attendance Tuesday. Pugh dropped out of practice toward the end of spring ball and watched the annual spring game from the stands. He appeared to be fine – he wasn’t on crutches or had an arm in a sling, so there was no obvious sign of injury – although after the scrimmage Marrone said none of the players who sat out would have been able to suit up had the Orange been preparing for a real game.

Now I am hearing persistent rumors that Pugh, a junior, could miss a good chunk of camp and possibly even some of the 2012 season as he recovers from an upper-body injury. Considering Pugh is among the best offensive linemen I have covered at SU in my two decades following the team and is a future NFL prospect plus the fact that SU already has to replace the right side of its offensive line this season due to the graduation of Andrew Tiller and Michael Hay, Pugh’s health is at the top of my curiosity list as I prepare to drive over to Rhode Island later today.